Wire spreader and tensioner for circular looms and the like



. A. DE GHETTO WIRE SPREADER AND TENSIONER FOR Jan. 18, 1949.

CIRCULAR LOOMS AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 18, 1947 fig.

INVENTOR. v ANSELM De G/IE77O BY M 7 {M04 ATTORNEY.

1949- A. DE GHETTO 2,459,504

WIRE SPREADER AND TENSIONER FOR CIRCULAR LOOMS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb.18, 1947 2 Sheets-SheetZ (ZcqZ w I8 22 I l: I 27 :T h 'HHil/IHIHH 'L L 1"i K -T f -P 24 l i i 5 2 3| :6 30- I5 2914 2a 26 I :9 1s s |8 l5 1 I 20l I l2 4 I' I0 9 n e Ih. 22

///A Hil 24 23 T! f '8. [i357 INVENTOR.

ANSELM Dec/157 0 ATTQIZ/WE Y5.

Patented Jan. 18, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WIRE SPREADER ANDTENSIONER FOR CIRCULAR LOOMS AND THE LIKE Anselm'De Ghetto, Clifton, N.3., assignor .to National Rubber Machinery Company, Akron,

Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application Fe'bruary- 18, 1947, Serial No.729,388

9 Claims. 1

The present invention relates ingeneral to improvements incircular'loomsfor weaving tubular articles such as for example the woven wire sleeveswhich are used for reinforcing flexible hose made of rubberorlike'impervious but structurally weak material. More particularly, thisinvention is concerned with certain improvements in that portion of acircular loom which distributes or spreads the weftoriwoof thread andcontrols the tension thereof. a

As is well known in the art, a typical circular loom may include severalshuttles which move in a circularor other endlesstraok and deposit theirwoof threads alternately above and below warp threads disposed around ablock or former suspended betweenthewarp thread carriers and the shuttletrack, the. fabric being thereby woven around such block. In weavingtubular sleeves for reinforcing hose, :as aforesaid, the hose itself mayconstitute the formenzor if preferred, the sleeve may be wovenindependently of the hose. In any case, the quality of the weave, that,is its tightness, neatness and uniformity is largely dependent upon themaintenance of a predeter mined uniform tension on the wire.

Such tension on the wire has been heretofore left largely to trial anderror and to the skill of the operator with the result that considerablematerial is often spoiled before a proper tension is found. With aninsufiicient tension on the wire, the weave will be uneven ornon-uniform and, in addition, the material maybe unwound from the supplyspool more rapidly than it is used, thereby necessitating shutting downof the machine to untangle such excess material. On the other hand, withan excessive tension on the wire, the shuttles are apt to be torn out oftheir tracks with the result that serious damage may be done to themachine.

It has also been the practice to have the wire controllingmechanismatthat end of the spreader body which is adjacent the formerand because of the limited spacethereat, no graduating means could beprovided.

Accordingly, it is one principal object of this invention to provide adevice of the character in dicated, in which the tension on the wire canbe accurately controlled and adjusted even before operation of themachine iscommenced.

It is another object of this invention to provide a device of thecharacterindicated in which the tensioning of the wire isaccomplished ata point remote from that end of the spreader body which is adjacent theformer wherebyadvanta-ge may be takenof theilargerspace at'suchremotelpoint.

. 2 i It is another object of i this invention toprovide a device of thecharacter described having novel means associated therewith forproviding a wide latitude of adjustment with but little movement at dthetensioning means relative to the spreader It is another object of thisinvention to provide a device of the character indicated which has meansfor supporting the distributing end of the spreader body :in apredetermined position closely adjacent the former but yet accommodatingany imperfections or lumps in the work without disrupting theoperationof the machine.

It is another object of this inventionto provide a devicelofthecharacterindicated whichhas means for facilitating the threading .orbending of thewire over the several tensioning rollers onthespreaderbody. i

It is another objectof this invention to provide a device of thecharacter indicated which is extremely simple and compact in structureand efiiciently performs its intended function.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthefollowin description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said inventionthen comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed-out in the claims, the following de scription and theannexed-drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrativeembodiments .of the invention, these being indicative, however; of buta'few of the various ways in which the principle of; the invention maybe employed.

In the drawings:

1 is a top plan view of my improved device showing the same in-conjunction witha spool containing a supply of wire .orilikeymaterial.The.

shuttle bracket and theblock or former areashown 40 in :part onlyandschematically.

Fig. 2 is an elevation view of my device as viewed "from the upperright-hand .c orne1' of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 through .9 are transverse cross section views through thespreader body taken along lines 33 through 9--9 respectively of Fig. l.

I I'he entire assemblage as shown in Fig. l in cludes a block or formerF which, as previously indicated, may comprise a length of pie-formedrubber hose. or the like about which a loom shuttle (not shown exceptfor the hereinafter to bedescribed elements thereof) is adapted totravel in a well known manner on an endless track. A bracket, not shown,onthe shuttle rotatably supports aspool l on which ise coil of wire Wlike material. Said spool i may have associated therewith adjustablemeans for resisting free rotation thereof, thereby providing one controlfor the tension of the wire W unwound therefrom. The shuttle is alsoformed with supports 2 and 3 on which the device constituting thepresent invention may be mounted.

The elongated and curved body 4 of the wire spreader and tensioner isdisposed radially outward of the spool I and is generally tangentialvthereto at its opposite ends. One end of said body.

4 is pivotally connected as by the'shoulder screw 5 to the support 3 andthe other end is disposed closely adjacent the former F. Such other endis yieldably retained in any adjusted. position by means of a link 6which has a pivotal connection with such body and a slidin connectionwith an eye bolt '1 which is rotatably mounted on the support 2. Desiredadjustment of the body 6 radially of the former F is effected as by anut 3 having threaded engagement with that end of the link 6 whichprojects through the eye bolt 1. Around the link 6 and compressedbetween the eye bolt 1 and a nut 9 disposed adjacent the pivotallyconnected end of the link is a spring ID, Said nut 9 is adjustablelongitudinally of the link to thus vary the compression of the springI8. Suitable jam nuts II are used to lock the nuts Sand 9 in theirrespective adjusted positions.

.It can now be seen that engagement of nut 8 with the eye bolt Idetermines the closest position of the spreader body relative to theformer F and thus as the body 4 travels around the former F anyirregularities or lumps therein will simply cause the body 4 to swingabout screw 5 as an axis and thus move the end thereof radially outwardrelative to the former F, such movement being taken up by compressingthe spring Ii). In this way the body will constantly remain closelyadjacent the former F as is desirable and any irregularities in theformer F or in the work will not necessitate interruption of theoperation of the machine. The eye bolt I can simply have threadedengagement with the support 2, such threaded engagement permitting whatlittle rotation of eye bolt 7 is effected by the movement of the body 4as aforesaid. The pivotal connection between the link 6 and the body 4preferably consists of a screw I2 which passes through a tongue on thelink fitted between parallel lugs a projecting laterally from the body.

The tensioner in the present case comprises a plurality of guide meansI4, I5, I6 and I7 in the form of peripherally grooved rollers spacedlongitudinally along the body 4 and so arranged that the wire W whendrawn thereover is caused to be successively bent in oppositedirections. This bending of the wire sets up a resistance to the freepassage of the wire through the body and thereby necessitatesapplication of a tensile pull thereon in order to effect wrapping of thewire around the former F. The magnitude of such resistance is, ofcourse, dependent upon the angle of such bending of the wire as itpasses over the several rollers. It is to be observed that such oppositebending of the wire is also efiective to straighten the same and removeany kinks therein.

The novel means herein disclosed for varying the-angle of bending of thewire W in opposite directions to thus control the tension comprises anarm IS on which the first and second rollers is and I5 of threesuccessive rollers I I, I5 and it are rotatably mounted. These rollerson the body 8 and arm I8 are preferably disposed gen- 4 erallycircumferentially of the spool I so as to take up a minimum of space.

Said arm I8 is pivotally connected to the body 4 by a screw I 9 havingthreaded engagement with the body. Such pivot is selected so as to bebetween the rollers Hi and I5 whereby rocking movement of the armeffects movement of the roller I4 in a path generally transverse to thepath of the wire W as it leaves the spool and movement of roller I5 in apath generally transverse between the rollers I 4 and I6. The ultimateeffect of the rocking of the arm I8 is to simultaneously move therollers I4 and I5 in opposite directions relative to the roller I6 whereby the angle of bend of the wire W around each roller is eitherincreased or decreased depending upon the direction in which the arm I8is rocked. Because both rollers M and I5 move in opposite directionstransversely of the movement of the wire, a single increment of rockingmovement of the arm I8 eifects a change of substantially two incrementsin the relative positions of the rollers i4, I5 and I6.

In order to facilitate the initial threading of the wire through thebody and the bending thereof over the rollers, the arm I8 is providedwith a recess-29 and the body 4 with a lug 2I. Such recess and lugprovide fulcrums for the end of a bending bar or like tool for operatingon the wire in the manner of a second-class lever.

Accurate adjustment of the arm I8 relative to the body 4 is effectedthrough a pinion gear 22 which is rotatably mounted at one end of thearm and which gear is engageable with an internal gear segment '23 inthe body. The axis of such gear segment coincides with the pivot axis H!of the arm IS. The face 24 of said gear segment is preferably formedwith suitable markings or graduations, not shown, which are registrablewith an edge or a marking on the arm I8. With such registrable markings,the gear may be ro-' tated to position the arm at any pre-selectedposition to tension the wire W accordingly.

The arm I8 has a bearing plate 25 secured thereto providing, with a stepformed in the arm, a cavity for the pinion gear 22 and spaced ears inwhich the oppositely projecting shaft portions of the gear 22 arerotatably fitted. The upper shaft portion projects through the bearingplate 25 and has threaded engagement with a locking nut 26, by means ofwhich nut the gear 22 may be locked against rotation, that is by drawingthe upper face of the gear 'into tight frictional engagement with thelower face of the bearing plate 25. The end of the upper shaft portionis formed with a polygonal portion for rotating the gear 22 when thelocking nut 26 is loose or for holding the'gear from rotating when thenut 26 is being tightened. I 1

It will be apparent from Fig. 1 that rotation of the gear 22 in aclockwise direction will effect rotation of arm I8 in acounter-clockwise direction to thus increase the angle of bending of thewire as it is drawn over the rollers I 4, I5 and I6.

This increases the tensionwhich-must be applied on the wire in order todraw it through the body. The tension is accordingly decreased byrotating the gear in a counter-clockwise direction.

After the wire passes over the rollers I4, I5 and I6, it passes overa'fourth roller I! which is disposed near that end of the body which isadjacent the former F and then finally passes through a longitudinalgroove 21 in the body before being wrapped onto the former F. Suchgroove 21; guides the wire so thattit. leaves the;

bodyat that one point.

The end. of the body which is adjacent? the former and particularly thegroove 27* is preferably caseihardened and hard chrome plated to providea surface for effectively resisting the wear which would otherwise occurby. the sliding of: the wire W therethroughr Likewise the rollers I4,l5, l6 and. ii are preferably made of inane ganese, bronze or likematerial which. may be heat treated to impart great Strength and Wearresistant characteristics thereto. The shoulder screws 28, 29, and 3! bywhich the rollers l4, l5, l6 and El arerotatably supported arepreierablyof hardened alloy steel with thethreaded ends thereof softenedfor stahingand thus providing a convenient means for locking the sameagainst inadvertent loosening;

With'the end of body 4 properly adjusted relative tofithe former F, thespring compressed to the desired degree, the wireW bent over the rollersas shown in Fig; l, and the end of the wire secured inthe usual mannerto the. former, it willbe seen that upon movement of the shuttle. in itstract: about the former, the who will be unwound from spool l andwrapped around the former. The tension of thewire Will'bfl accuratelycontrolled by the relative positions of the rollers 16, i5 and it and inaddition any kinks in the wire will be removedbothby the tension and thebending of the wire in opposite directions as it passes over therollers. During such rotation the end of the body will remain closelyadjacent to the former in spite of any irregularitics or lumps in thework whereby the machine may be continuously operated so long as thereis any who left on the spool.

It is to be observed that the spreader body is of light weight butsturdy construction and the greatest bulk of the assembly is close tothe pivotal connection of the body to the support whereby thecentrifugal force thereon has the least effect in tending to move theother end away from its adjusted position adjacent the former F.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed,change being made as regards the details described, provided thefeatures stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of suchbe employed.

1'. therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as myinvention:

1. A device of the character described, comprising a body, an armpivotally connected between its ends to said body, guide means on oneend of said arm so arranged that wire or the like drawn thereover issuccessively subjected to bending in opposite directions, and a gearrotatable at the other end of said arm, said body being formed with agear segment in engagement with said gear and coaxial with the pivotalconnection of said arm on said body whereby rotation of said geareifects pivotal movement of said arm on said body.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a body, an armpivotally connected between its ends to said body, guide means on oneend of said arm so arranged that Wire or the like drawn thereover issuccessively subjected to bending in opposite directions, a gearrotatable at the other end of said arm, said body being formed with agear segment in engagement with said gear and coaxial with the pivotalconnection of said arm on said body whereby rotation of said geareffects pivotal movement of said arm on said body, and means on said armfor locking/said? gear against: rotation relative: to said. arm;v

3; A device of. the character described; comprise ing a support member,aibody pivotally: connects ed at one end to. said support, means on saidsupport bearing against the: other end or said body for retainingsaid-body. ina predetermined:

position relative to saidsupport, an armrpivotally connectedbetween itsends to said. body, uide means' on said arm so arranged that wire or thelike drawn thereover is successively subjecteditoby rotation of saidgear. effects rotation of: said:

arm and thus the guide means thereon relative. tonsaid body.

4'. The combinatiorrwith a spool containing a: supply of wire or. thelike, of a bodytgenerally tangent to said spool, an arm pivotally.connect:-

ed to saidbody, and guide means onlsaidbody and arm. so arranged thatwire. or. the like from said spool. when drawn" thereover issuccessively subjected to bendingin. opposite directions, said;

guide. means including atleast three: elementslying along a line arounda. portion of. the, periphery of said spool, two successive onesoivwhich are on saida-rm, the pivotalaxis of saidarm being so disposed.that upon rotation of said arm, one of suchelements: on: said arrnmovesin, a path generally transverse between the other two elements and-theother of such elements on said arm movesin a path genera-llytransverseto the directionof. movement of the Wire: or the like as.

' it leaves the spool but in an opposite direction relative to themovement of said one of such elements.

5. A device of the character described, comprising a support, anelongated body having one end i pivotally connected to said support, alink pivotalformed with a transversely disposed opening slidablyreceiving said link.

6. A device of the character described, comprising a body, an armpivotally connected to said body, guide means on said body and arm soarranged that Wire or the like drawn thereover is successively subjectedto bending in opposite directions, said guide means including at leastone element on said body and at least two elements on said arm disposedin advance of the element on said body, the pivotal connection of saidarm on said body being disposed between the elements on said arm wherebyrotation of said arm in one direction effects movement of the elementsthereon in opposite directions generally transverse to the movement ofthe wire over said guide means.

7. A device of the character described, com prising a body, an armpivotally connect-ed to said body, guide means on said body and arm soarranged that wire or the like drawn thereover is successively subjectedto bending in oppo site directions, said guide means including at leastone element on said body and at least two elements on said arm disposedin advance of the element on said body, the pivotal connection of saidarm on said body being disposed between the elements on said arm wherebyrotation of said arm in one direction eifects movement of the elementsthereon in opposite directions generally transverse to the movement ofthe wire over said guide means, and interengaging means on said arm andbody for retaining said arm in a selected rotative position relative tosaid body.

8. A device of the character described, comprising a body, an armpivotally connected between its ends to said body, guide means on oneend of said arm so arranged that wire or the like drawn thereover issuccessively subjected to bending in opposite directions, a gearrotatable at the other end of said arm, said body being formed with agear segment in engagement with said gear and coaxial with the pivotalconnection of said arm on said body whereby rotation of said geareffects pivotal movement of said arm on said body, and means on said armfor locking said gear against rotation relative to said arm, saidlocking means comprising a shaft journalled in said arm and fixed onsaid gear, one end of said shaft projecting through said arm and formedwith threads thereon and a nut threaded on said shaft operative throughthe latnected at one end to said support, means on said 3 supportbearing against the other end of said body for retaining said body in apredetermined position relative to said support, an arm pivotallyconnected between its ends to said body, guide REFERENCES CITED Thefollowing references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PA'I'ENTS Number 1 Name Date 150,620 Sanderson May 5, 18741,022,512 Sipp Apr. 9, 1912 1,068,248 Killingsworth July 22, 19131,493,366 Mellor May 6, 1924 1,776,638 Parks Sept. 23, 1930 1,790,016Northrop Jan. 27, 1931 2,191,082 Parker Feb. 20, 1940 2,226,232 PayneDec. 24, 1940 2,321,283 De Ghetto June 8, 1943 2,397,914 Blouin Apr. 9,1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 358,528 Great Britain Oct. 5,1931

